Alkaline water electrolyzers have been successfully commercialized for hydrogen production using renewable electricity due to a combination of various favourable characteristics such as low cost, non-dependence on critical minerals and high durability. They are projected to operate for roughly 60,000 to 80,000 hours. However, there are few models available in the open literature that help predict the lifetime of alkaline water electrolyzers. The catalyst durability is a major degradation pathway that determines the lifetime. In this project, you will develop a model for lifetime prediction of alkaline water electrolyzers. The models will involve electrochemical equations and time-dependent equations to track major parameters related to catalyst kinetics, diaphragm chemistry and other transport properties as a function of electrolyzer operational parameters such as temperature, pressure, alkalinity etc.

(Experimental and theoretical)